New Job

I got a job at the Law Offices of Richard Pena. It's a pretty sweet job. I do the small odd jobs around the place, but pretty much, I just wait until someone tells me to do something, like fix the printer or the copier. I know it may not be the most glamorous job, and is kind of boring for the most part, it's a nice feeling when people see you as the guy who does everything faster. For example, today, the secretary needed to redo the entire email contact list for the entire office, and I offered to help her. She told me that she was working on it for a long time, and expected to still be working on it for a while. I told her I would work on it, and she gave me the notion that even with my help, it wouldn't be done for at least a few weeks. She wanted to manually input every single email address into the system. 

After about an hour of finding the contacts on the computer, making it a .csv file in excel, and then importing it into the boss' computer, the job was done. The secretary, Anita, was a bit shocked, but very pleasantly surprised. She just exclaimed "Wow, you are lightning fast"

I know my job is super menial, and that I have nothing to do with the actual workings of this firm, but it felt nice. And, the boss found out how quick I did it, and he was impressed. Day 3 on the job, and I think I'm making a good impression.

Day 1: fixed a printer by plugging the cable in 

Day 2: didn't really do much....

Day 3: saved the secretary many hours of labor by using excel. 

I hope to have fun this summer

Stages of Life

Gimme Phase:
When we are born into this world, we are constantly crying for attention and love. We need food so we cry, we need a hug so we cry, we need clean clothes so we cry. When a parent looks down at their child, do they think to themselves "what a horrible child, all they do is ask for their needs, what about my needs?!" No. They think to themselves what a beautiful child I have, and they are going to grow up to be a wonderful son/daughter.
When this becomes a problem:
When the child is no longer a child, and they still want their diaper to be changed. Imagine a 28 year old man wanting his mother to feed him. Something is wrong with that picture.

Use Me Phase:
Put me in the game coach! This is the part of life where we want to be in the spot light. We want to cash in our luck.  We want to be noticed! That girl across the hall, that just seems to be the most beautiful person in the world, we want her to notice us! It is not to be confused with the gimme phase, because it is no longer asking to be provided for, but it is asking to be used so that we can be noticed.
When this becomes a problem:
If the person is not ready for the spotlight, they will either get embarrassed with their confidence completely lost, or they will become prideful and arrogant.

Show Me Phase:
I want to know what is wrong with me so that I can fix it. I want to know the answer. I want to know what to do so I can do it. I want to know it all.
When this becomes a problem:
Knowing does not always transfer into doing. You can know that volunteering is a good thing, but never do it. You can know about the poverty in different countries but have no compassion.

I Surrender Phase:
No matter what happens in life, it is in God's control. No matter what the situation. No matter what the cause. No matter. God has it under control. You become His servant, and He takes care of you. He will give to you, He will use you, and He will show you, but on one condition; that it is all under His supervision and timing.


Being selfish is not wrong, when you are a child.
Being wanted to be used is not wrong, when the coach puts you in the game.
Having desire to know things is not wrong, when a teacher teaches you.

Recently, I've been in three of the four phases. I've been selfish, wanting God to give me everything that I could possible want. I've been wanting to be used in my church/school/work so that I can be noticed and applauded. I've wanted God to show we the mysteries of Him and the wonders of the world so that I could boast and say how "spiritually mature" I've gotten.

I now need to stop, and surrender it all. Nothing in this world can make me happy, except God. Not even a wonderful girlfriend can keep me happy, if God is not in the relationship.

6 & 7: what i need to talk to God about.

asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. -Col 1:9

1. ask God to fill me with the knowledge of His will

pray this in order than you may live a life worth of the Lord and may please Him in every way- 1:10

2. ask God to help me please Him in EVERY way.

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 1:11-12

3. I want to bear good fruit.
4. I want to grow in knowledge of God
5. I want to be strengthened
6. I want endurance
7. I want patience
8. I want to joyfully give to the Father.

I get to talk to God. I get to spend time with Him. If amazing things aren't happening in my life, whats the point of talking to Him? I'm pretty lonely without Him.... I'm pretty lonely right now. Time to spend some time on my knees.

What good is reading the Bible if it doesn't have the Spirit. It is like reading a text book.

5: ehhhhhhhh

there is a time for everything.
there is nothing new under the sun.

i feel tired and weak.
people are having a party outside my window.

i had a dream about hobos.
i am too tired to think.

goodnight.

4: Sin, Faith, Duty

Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. -Luke 17:1

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. -Luke 17:3

Would he say to the servant when he comes from the field, "come along now and sit down to eat"? Would he not rather say, "prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and rink"? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? -Luke 17:7-9 

 

I need to check that I am not a stumbling block to other people.

I need to start rebuking my brothers who are sinning in love.

When God asks me to do something, I need to have the attitude that I am His servant. It is of higher priority that God is glorified, and after He is glorified, that is when I am filled. God isn't just going to call me down to sit and eat. I'm His servant. I am supposed to serve before I eat.

Sin is at my doorstep.
God will give me faith to move mountains.
It is my duty to do what He tells me.

I am an unworthy servant.

3: Bill Gates

I remember when I was a kid (I'm still a kid) I always attributed great wealth with Bill Gates. Heck, I still do that now. He's one rich dude. I remember even as a kid I wondered what it would have been like to be Bill Gates' son. Do you remember the movie "Richie Rich"? I do, and it really made me wonder what it would be like to have everything I could ever want.

Bill Gates has a lot of money. That's it. He can't protect me from death and he can't do anything about the misfortunes in my life except to throw some money at it. There is only so much power in a crap load of money.

When I read what Jesus says, I am constantly reminded that Jesus said crazy things like "Give to everyone who asks you" and "if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back" (Luke 6:30).

I understood this passage today, as if Jesus was telling me

Jeremy. We have a Father who can do the impossible. Not only can He do the impossible but He can do the possible. You just have to let Him. Don't worry if the people around you are trying to take advantage of you. In fact! Let them take advantage of you. Let them hate you. Just remember that God is rich, that God is power, that God will save you. Even the most powerful, even the most rich, and even the most influential people in the world are no match for the power of God. Pray for your enemies. Let them curse you. I got your back. God's got your back. We love you, so don't let the things of this world tear you down.

I surrender all. All to Jesus. My loving Savior. All to Him I freely give.

woot woot!

2: Starting Fresh

The smell must have been unbearable. 

The rotten gruel on his coat would never come out. 

The walk back home must have been embarrassing and demoralizing. 

He must have thought to himself, "Dad's going to be so angry when he sees me. What am I going to do?"

I wonder if he even still had shoes to walk the dirt path home.

God, he was a mess. 

He wasted his life doing the things that he wanted to do.

I wouldn't want to be around someone of such low character,

let alone someone who smelled like that.

The disgusting image of this son is highly contrasted to the love of his father, who at the first sight of his son, ran to him.

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

"QUICK! Bring the best robe and put it on him."

Is this for real? Why did Jesus choose to tell this story of this son who chose to take his inheritance and leave the family?

I relate to this guy though... sometimes I just feel so discouraged with things with the family of Christ, that I just want to cut my losses and leave. Sometimes I wish that I didn't have to be under the "house rules" and I could just live the way that I want. The thought, "it would be nice to be free" comes to mind.

I am reminded that the world produces the fruit similar to what this son had to go through: the bottom of a pigs feeding trough. 

So God. I'm here. Dirty, smelly, and just completely unacceptable to be in your house. I'll walk to your house, ready to tell you that I have sinned against you. I'm ready to tell you that I am not worthy to be called your son. Just take me in, as a slave or a servant.

Are you going to run to me?

Are you going to wrap your arms around me?

Are you going to clothe me in new robes?

Even if you don't. I'm sorry for leaving in the first place.